Meeting to discuss Fort Ord ordnance clearing

The Army believes it has sufficiently cleared unexploded ordnance from 356 acres of Fort Ord land that will eventually be turned over to Monterey, Del Rey Oaks and Monterey Peninsula College.

It will hold a public meeting Wednesday to receive comment and explain the plan for the land, most of which is parking for Laguna Seca. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in Carpenter's Union Hall, 910 2nd Ave., Marina.

The land also includes one of MPC's law enforcement training areas and 29 acres designated for office park, light industrial and habitat management along South Boundary Road. The Army's preferred option is to place land-use restrictions on it, but require no further cleanup.

Residential development would be barred and construction crews would be required to work with authorized munitions experts before any "intrusive" work.

The entire "ESCA Group 3 Proposed Plan" can be viewed at http://www.fortordcleanup.com. The public comment period is open until Feb. 13. Written comments can be sent to BRAC Environmental Coordinator, P.O. Box 5008, Monterey, CA 93944-5008.